Boatwright Wildlife Management Area expanded

Ducks Unlimited in 2013 partnered with the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources to expand the Boatwright Wildlife Management Area in western Kentucky by 256 acres.

The new addition, like the rest of Boatwright, will be managed primarily for wetland migratory birds. The tract also will be open to the public for hunting, fishing and wildlife viewing.

The acquisition came about thanks to DU and the KDFWR joining resources for a North American Wetlands Conservation Act grant. In March 2014, the grant was secured and the KDFWR closed on the tract five months later, making it part of Boatwright.

Adding this tract to the wildlife management area allows the KDFWR to enhance water management on an additional 30 acres on the Little Clark Estate, as well as improve water management on the newly acquired 256 acres.

The strategy for land acquisition in the Boatwright property is to work with willing landowners while securing lands to reduce the number of inholdings in the WMA. Securing these lands will provide critical habitat protection and wetland restoration/enhancement opportunities for migratory birds, including several endangered species, and improve public access.